"It's Howdy Doody Time!"

I hadn't experienced many Christmas's as an eight year old and this year’s seemed like all the rest. My family's Christmas weren't extravagant by any means. Each of us four children would get a few toys and candy. So on this day, I had opened all my Christmas loot, but had saved the best package for last. The package I was about to open would have an impact on my life that I never could have imagined.

Prior to this time, around the age of seven, I discovered that the kids on my school bus thought that my ears looked like “Dumbo” the elephants. I would be minding my own business, day dreaming out of my window and an older student behind me would start flicking my ears. It wasn't just once or twice, but until they became red and swollen in pain. I couldn't tell the bus driver because I feared my peers would view me as a “wimp” or “tattletale”. Also, I was shy and was embarrassed quite easily so I just dealt with the pain and humiliation.

After school at home, with tears I would confide to my mother as I told her what happen. I recall admitting to her how I would stand in front of the mirror and squeeze my ears as tightly as I could to try and make them smaller. I would explain to her how I "hated" my ears. She would patiently assure me that I was very handsome. She explained that I was still growing and that she thought they looked "just fine". I imagine at that time, I would have done anything to have smaller ears or at the least "fit in" with the rest of the kids.

So here we are, back to my Christmas present. I don’t recall the color of the wrapping paper but I do remember it was in a long cardboard box. I ripped opened the top and reached my long skinny arm down inside the box. I pulled the gift out of the box and stared at a large doll that looked strikingly similar to me. The hair, the smile... and wait... I couldn't believe the size of the dolls ears! They seemed to stick out more than mine!

My dad then explained that this was no ordinary doll, but it was a Ventriloquist’s doll named “Howdy Doody." Shortly after, he gave me a quick lesson on the technique of talking without moving your lips. Later, I also listened to the record that came along with the doll. After countless times of listening to “Buffalo Bob” my sisters begged me stop. By this time, I felt that I was ready to take my show on the road.

As time went on, "Howdy Doody" and I became inseparable. I had discovered that "Howdy Doody" and I were able to make people smile. The shows that I put on for my friends and family, had helped me overcome my shyness. I had started thinking too myself, “If Howdy has big ears and he is cool, then I must be cool”! My show times with "Howdy Doody" became a foundation for my later frequent public speaking.

I now realize that growing up, "Howdy Doody" helped me through a difficult period in my childhood. Then after childhood, I soon found that I no longer had to fret about the teasing. The reason is quite simple. After Howdy came to live with me, I had a faithful friend who gave me courage and comfort.

Don't laugh at this. Sometimes on occasion, when I have to go to the basement, I make my way to an old trunk where I find my friend "Howdy". I pick him up and may even say a few words to him. But after a moment, I smile at him then gently tuck him back inside his home. As the years go by I fondly remember when I look in that old trunk, the comfort and joy that filled me when I said “It’s Howdy Doody Time”. JN

*Sources and photos are my own